Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/227

 1581. j VOYAGR OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 211

tain that Alen<?on would resent the idle impertinence to which he had been subjected. Leicester and Hatton clamoured against the restitu- tion. Walsingham, bitterly as his worst fears were confirmed, still advised that the treasure should be used to subsidize Casimir and the King of Navarre, and to help the struggling States. But Burghley adhered to his opinion, and Sussex, Bromley, and Clinton stood by him. They had disapproved from the first of Drake's expedition. They considered that if not at once yet by instalments everything ought to be given back; and Mendoza saw with delight that the most powerful Eng- lish statesman was moving on the course which he had himself recommended to Philip, while he was spared the mortification of making the first advances. Burghley went BO far as to feel his way with him, and hint his wishes ; and Mendoza, with a slight suspicion that per- haps he might be played off against the French, and made use of to frighten Henry, yet admitted temperately the pleasure with which he would regard a restored alliance between Spain and England. 1 But how to shake off Alei^on ? The Queen had brought him over, and now both with herself and the council the first object was to rid the realm of him. It was represented to him that his honour was suffering through Parma's conquests, that the marriage at all events could not take place immediately, and that his presence was required at Antwerp. The Queen pro- 1 Mendoza to Philip, December 25, 1581 : MS8. Simancas,